The 6-day tour is a combination of Sapa villages trek and Halong bay cruise tour. You meet up with different ethnic groups as you hike from village to village. Spending the night at local home (homestay) also offers a real life experience. The trek is a medium difficulty that is recommended to parents, children travelling in dry season. The overnight cruise tour to Halong bay is most beautiful in summer time when it is hot and sunny. The multi activity tour can be extended with other breaks such as spa package, homestay, Tam Coc sampan cruise tour, cooking class or rock climbing vacations…Contact your Lotussia Travel consultant for more details.


Day 1: Overnight train to Lao Cai.

In the evening, transfer to Hanoi Railways Station to take the night train to Laocai. Departure at???. Overnight on the train.

 Day 2: Arrive Lao Cai. Travel to Sapa. Trekking Sapa hilltribe villages (Tram Ton – Sin Chai).

Arrive Lao Cai Railway Station early this morning. You will be picked up by Lotussia Travel local team and transferred to Sapa.

Breaffast will be provided in a local restaurant in town.

Transfer to Silver Waterfall where you will be able to take a short walk to the waterfall. You will then drive further to Heaven Gate, the highest peak of roads in Vietnam. From there you can see Fansipan, the highest peak of Indochina mountains as well as enjoy stunning views. We start descending nearby the waterfall. The trail takes you all the way downhill through bamboo forest, which belongs to Hoang Lien National Park.

Your lunch will be served at a nice spot nearby a river.

After lunch, you continue the trek to Sin Chai village of Black Hmong minority, where Community Based Tourism in Sapa takes place. You will have opportunity to explore daily life of one of the largest group ethnic minorities in Sapa area.

Homestay in a local house.

Day 3: Continue hiking Sapa (Sin Chai – Cat Cat – Y Linh Ho)

After having breakfast, you start heading up the mountain. Once you get to the top, you will trek on a small trail with spectacular view and then gradually descend to Cat Cat village, where you will have lunch nearby a waterfall.

In the afternoon, you take a trail sneaking through mountain. You also will enjoy spectacular scenery while walking along a narrow river. Eventually you will arrive in Y Linh Ho village of Black Hmong minority, where you can take a rest in a nice spot nearby the beautiful river.

The night will be spent in a local house in Y Linh Ho village.

Day 4: Continue Sapa valley trek (Y Linh Ho – Lao Chai – Ta Van)

Today’s trek will continue along Hoang Lien mountain range, which offers you many opportunities to enjoy view over huge rice paddy terraces in Muong Hoa valley, the largest one in the area.

After lunch at a nice spot, you descend into the bottom of the valley. You will pass through Lao Chai village of Black Hmong minority and then Tavan village of Giay minority by following a very popular trekking route. 

You spend the night in a traditional house of Giay minority. You will be able to take a walk to enjoy the valley view as well as swim in the river nearby.

Day 5: Trekking Ta Van – Su Pan. Return Sapa town. Travel to Lao Cai. Overnight train back to Hanoi.

Today’s trek is short, but still the landscape is beautiful. Once you get energy for your last day trek after having breakfast, you leave for Giang Ta Chai village where you can take a rest nearby a waterfall for lunch.

After passing trough the bamboo forest we will find a nice place to enjoy lunch. After lunch we continue towards Giang Ta Chai, a Red Dao ethnic minority village. After taking a rest nearby a waterfall to refresh, you start climbing uphill to a road where the car is ready for your journey back to Sapa, then down to Lao Cai Railways Station.

Take the night train back to Hanoi. Departure ??? Overnight on the train.

Day 6: Arrive Hanoi. Travel to Halong bay. Boat junk cruise and sea kayaking tour.

Arrive early this morning in Hanoi. You will be picked up again by Lotussia Travel guide, driver and transferred to a local restaurant in town for breakfast.

At 8:30, depart to Halong Bay. Enjoy the journey through the rich farmlands of the Red River Delta and the scenery of rice fields, water buffalo and everyday Vietnamese village life. Arrive in Halong and board the Bai Tho traditional sailing junk (or similar junk). Whilst cruising the exquisite waters sample the regions fresh seafood. Visit the recently discovered Surprise Grotto with its great views, and on the next island see the yawning mouth of Bo Nau Cave. Alternatively journey to Dau Go Cave and nearby see the famous stalagmites and stalactites of Thien Cung Cave. Enjoy a swim in the emerald waters of Halong Bay at any spot that you wish to visit (if weather permits). Watch the sun set over the bay whilst enjoying a delicious dinner.

Overnight on board junk.

Day 7: Halong bay – Hanoi.

Wake up to fresh coffee and a wholesome breakfast before cruising back to Halong City.

At 11:00, disembark at the dock at Halong City. Transfer back to Hanoi.

Contact Lotussia Travel for more details.

The 5-day tour is a combination of a off-the-beaten track destination Cao Son and a hot, popular tourist place Halong bay. Visit the Cao Son market which is open on Wednesday only. Trek through local hill tribe village around Cao Son, Lao Cai province. These help to understand the local culture, customs and traditions. The final part of the 5-day tour is spent in Halong bay where you enjoy both boat, junk cruise and sea canoeing. Spending two night on board train make the cost of the tour down. The option is recommended by Lotussia Travel.

Day 1: Overnight train to Lao Cai.

Transfer to Hanoi Railwasy station for the night train trip to Laocai. Train??? (To be advised). Overnight on the train.
 

 Day 2: Arrive Lao Cai early this morning. Travel to Cao Son. Trekking.

Arrive Lao Cai Railways Station early this morning. Train??? (To be advised). You will be greeted by Lotussia Travel local team and transferred to a local restaurant for early breakfast.

After few minutes resting, travel to Muong Khuong district, via tea plantation and forest of pine. You might encounter Giay people in their traditional dress in Ban Lau or Thanh Binh.

Reaching Cao Son about 10.am. Check in Cao Son lodge for lunch and a short rest.

In the afternoon you will commence your walk to the most secluded yet peaceful village - Tin Thang. In this village, people still distill the wine from corn, making bacon in the most basic way and offering special corn cake to anyone who drop by their house.

Back to the lodge for dinner and overnight.

Activities: Driving (3 hours); Trekking (2.5 hours)

Day 3: Visit Cao Son Wednsday market. Boat trip on Chay river. Laocai – Hanoi.

After breakfast, you will walk on a good paved road with local ethnic minority people to go to Cao Son market. Pine trees forests and villages surround the tinny market. Flower H’mong, Tu Di, Tay, Giay ethnic minorities come to buy and sell local products such as food and material for agriculture and fabric. People coming to the market not only for selling or buying something but also importantly to meet friends, relative and to sip some cups of wine until the dawn comes. No where else but here, Flower H’mong people greet you with a temptation of corn wine and endless hospitality.

After exploring the market, trek to Sicala village. This is one of the oldest village in Cao Son area where you can experience the unique customs and tradition. Once you are in the village, you can behold the panoramic view of lush valley located on the banks of Chay river.

Picnic lunch will be provided in Ta Thang school.

After lunch, join our hehicle again and travel to Coc Ly where we will enjoy an amazing boat trip downstream Chay river. From Coc Ly, you will take a bamboo raft to Tien (Fairy) cave. The last destination is Trung Do village - the habitat of Tay people, who live in stilt houses.

Transfer to Lao Cai. Day use will be provided in a standard hotel for quick shower before taking the night train back to Hanoi. Train ???

Overnight on the train.

Activities: Trekking (2 hours); Boat trip (1.5 hours)

Day 4: Arrive Hanoi early this morning. Travel to Halong Bay. Boat cruise. Kayaking.

Arrive in Hanoi in the early morning, you will be greeted again by our team and transferred to a local restaurant in town for breakfast.

After a short rest, depart to Halong Bay. Enjoy the journey through the rich farmlands of the Red River Delta and the scenery of rice fields, water buffalo and everyday Vietnamese village life.

Arrive in Halong and board the Bai Tho traditional sailing junk (or similar junk). Whilst cruising the exquisite waters sample the regions fresh seafood. Visit the recently discovered Surprise Grotto with its great views, and on the next island see the yawning mouth of Bo Nau Cave. Alternatively journey to Dau Go Cave and nearby see the famous stalagmites and stalactites of Thien Cung Cave.

Enjoy one hour kayak paddling through strange-shaped rock formations. Watch the sun set over the bay whilst enjoying a delicious dinner.

Overnight on board junk.

Activities: Kayaking (1 hour); Boat trip (half day)

Day 5: Halong bay - Hanoi.

Wake up to fresh coffee and a wholesome breakfast before cruising back to Halong City. Disembark at the dock at Halong City at 11:00. Transfer back to Hanoi.

Free at leisure until transfer to Noibai airport for your onward flight home. Flight ???. End trip.

Contact Lotussia Travel for more details.

This overnight tour includes both trekking and biking activities making your trip is more fun and enjoyable. Both day trips start from Sapa town and takes you to different hill tribe villages such as H’mong village, Red Dzao village, Tay village. There you meet up with local villagers. Chatting with them will help to understand the local life. The tour is provided with English-speaking tour guide, private vehicle with driver and can be extended with other optional day tours.

 

Day 1: Sapa hiking tour one day.

The day walking tour takes you to two villages are inhabited by the Red Dzao and the Black H’mong people in the south-western Sapa. This is an easy hiking trail having a fews up and downhill treks. There is about 5 hours walking. You will trek through local villages and paddy fields.

8:30: You will be met up at your hotel in Sapa by Lotussia Travel team (Please advise your hotel name upon confirmation).

Transfer 15 km to the Mong Sen Bridge with stops along the way for enjoying spectacular landscapes.

Upon our arrival in Mong Sen village, we start trekking uphill along large dirt road  for nearly an hour, then following a narrow dirt trail winding its way on steep hill-sides along the western bank of the upstream part of Ngoi Dum River for 2 hours to an isolated hamlet of the Black H’mong people, explore these isolated hamlets of the Black H’mong, then lunch break.

After lunch, we continue trekking along the same trail for nearly 1,5 hours up and downhill towards Ta Phin Valley and arrive at the center of Ta Phin Commune in mid afternoon. Take a walk around this stunning valley, paying visit to some Red Zao families, then we will be picked up again by our vehicle for our drive back to Sapa.

Day 2: Sapa biking tour one day.

The one-day bicycle tour is arranged in Muong Hoa valley, the most beautiful valley in Sapa. There is about 40 km to bike. This is flexible since you can bike more or less. Both uphill and downhill biking is available for this option. If you travel with your kids, taking a support vehicle is recommended. You will cycle through H’mong and Giay villages, paddy fields. Optional single dirt track cycling can be available upon request.

8:30: You will be met up at your hotel in Sapa by Lotussia Travel guide (Please advise your hotel name upon confirmation). Start the trip from Sapa, 10 minutes road ride southwards of Sapa.

 Turn left and follow a large dirt and rocky track 1 hour uphill to Hang Da Village of the H’mong neat the top of Den Thang Mountain. Enjoy great view of Muong Hoa Valley and a short walk to explore this isolated village.

We continue biking for 15 minutes on high elevation of the mountain side and then the track become narrow and tough for 1 hour downhill. Some part of the trail are really tough with loosed rocks. Passing several hamlets of the Black H’mong of Hau Thao Commune with some short stops for meeting peopes. Continue to Hoa Su Pan Village, enjoy lunch break.

After lunch, we cycle downhill and cross the river to other bank, and then uphill to Giang Tu Chai Village of the Red Zao. Explore this village and then passing through the bamboo forest, terraced rice field to Ta Van Village of the Giay. Cycle around this large village and stop biking in mid afternoon at Ta Van Bridge.

Picked up and transfer back to Sapa.

Day 1: Hanoi - YenBai

After breakfast in morning driving to VuLinh (180km ), Upon arrival , check in home stay, PM walking tour around villages .

 Overnight in Home stay with local villages

Day 2 :Yen bai- Bac Ha

 After breakfast, drive to Bac Ha , in afternoon spend the time for walking in Hmong ethnic-minority villages. Overnight in Bac Ha  (B)

Day 3: Bac Ha- Sapa-Ta Van

Drive to Lao Chai, staging point for the half day's hike. Begin the trek by descending into the rice-terraced valley. Walk though isolated villages, rice fields, and isolated thatched roof homes where H'Mong peoples live. See the H'Mong at work and at play in their distinctive dark blue dress. Continue hiking to the village of Ta Van, the only village in Vietnam inhabited by the DZay tribe. Return to Sapa via an elevated trail with scenic views. Overnight in Sapa (B)

Day 4 (Mon): Sapa - Ta Phin

Drive to the town of Ta Phin to meet Black H'Mong, DZay and Red Dao minority peoples. Spend the afternoon walking atop an elevated ridge of Ham Rong and enjoying the views of Sapa below. The rest of the day is free for rest or to explore Sapa. Overnight in Sapa (B)

Day 5 (Tue): Sapa-Lao Cai - Hanoi by bus.

Drive back Hanoi from Sapa by car. Upon arrival, transfer to hotel.

End of services.
Note: Prices are based per person, double occupancy, with a separate cost for solo travelers. If you are traveling in a group but prefer single accommodations, a single supplement fee applies. Triple accommodations are not available in many of the destinations we visit.

Contact Lotussia Travel for more details.

Minimizing your Hiking Pack Weight

Preparing for a Hike is often a battle against the pounds or kilos. And we do not mean this in a weight loss kind of way. What we mean is that on your hike you will be the beast of burden and everything you take with you will have to be carried by you. Every time you lift your foot to make a new step you will be lifting the full weight of your body plus your pack load. Multiply this by many thousands of steps and you will realize how a few pounds extra will make a big difference on a large hike.

There are a few terms used for Hiking Weight:

    From the Skin Out (FSO) Weight:
    the weight of everything you carry outside of your skin so this includes your backpack but also your socks, boots, etc.
    Packweight:
    the weight of your Backpack not including the Provisions (food/drink) you are bringing.

So preparing for a trek always involves a great deal of contemplating on what you really need and how you can minimize your FSO weight. Often making this calculation boils down to choosing between comfort in walking (lighter loads) and comfort when not walking (better food, more and/or better equipment, books, entertainment, etc). Here are some tips:

    A well trained hiker might be able to carry up to one third of his own body weight as FSO weight. In general however one fourth will already be very cumbersome. From one fifth and down you should be able to hike comfortably.
    Start by contemplating on what you will absolutely need in terms of provisions and gear. Note down these functions.
    Try looking for ultra-light and multipurpose equipment that will fulfill the functions you listed down. The constant demand for lighter pack loads has sparked some very high tech solutions that are able to combine multiple hiking functions in light weight gear.
    Pack lightweight but high nutritional value Dehydrated Foods. On the flip side of the equation: minimizing your packweight will actually allow you to bring better food. Of course this choice is very personal but 4 straight days of dehydrated foods is no fun!
Contact Lotussia Travel for more details!